Enrichment

Last edit 8/17/2011

Current Contents: // Beowulf, Cat's Cradle, Grendel, Hamlet, Heart of Darkness, The Bloody Chamber, Politics and the English Language .//
= = || = Novel Ties, Pink Monkey, Spark Notes or other Study Guides = || = Hands on Activities and Creative Projects = || = Thematic Connections = ||  -Several general resources listed: -Broad range of resources under one roof and well written and very accessible. Quizzes, summary, background, essays, etc… || -Review of the latest movie by a Beowulf scholar. Accessible and interesting to read or compare with a student’s review: || -Audio reading of the original version here:
 * = Enrichment Reading Texts = || = Companion Reading = || = Relevant Websites = || = Related Poems, Essays & Articles = || = Audio, Movies or other Versions =
 * ==== Beowulf ==== || __Grendel__- John Gardner (1971). An excellent companion based off the epic and told from the monster’s perspective. Complex philosophical subtext can be explored or briefly summarized by the instructor. || - A hypertext version:

-“Electronic Beowulf”- A great website that showcases several versions of the text and the “original” with a side-by-side translation for each page. A lot of information on the text and how it has come to be so important. || -Spark notes available. -The Cummings Study guide is more thorough and has links to different versions of the story: - Glencoe study guide of 30+ pages with dozens of exercises to use in the classroom: (pdf to download) || -Excellent teacher generated page with projects **&** study questions and Powerpoint on the text:

-Map -Comic book depiction of significant scene -Recreate the Hrothgar’s hall at a table or in miniature. || -Heroic code -Identity and how family/ heritage shape you. - Warriors versus kings -Traditions of subjects and kings -Wealth -Good vs. evil || - (in progress) ||   ||   ||   ||   || Novel tie ||   ||   || -Abbreviated version in “Literature and the Language Arts” and other similar high school textbooks. || -Grendex- an interesting index of most words and phrases in __Grendel__ with explanations Also links to other Grendel resources- || -An essay entitled: “Gardner and Nietzsche: Towards a Post-Ethical Aesthetic Morality of Fiction” by Mark Pedretti. This is high level philosophical discussion that pairs well with an in-depth reading of Grendel and its philosophical themes.
 * ==== Cat’s Cradle- Vonnegut ====
 * ==== Grendel- John Gardner ==== || -Beowulfe- Heaney version

-An essay entitled: “John Gardner's Dramatic Vision of 'Epic Community” by Gerald Lee Ratliff- a short examination of community in the novel compared with some classical texts. || -Part of the novel on audio with slideshow accompanying-

- The audio version on youtube with an excellent reading by George Quidell. Divided into 8 tracks. || -An excellent overview composed for Gale Group. Includes character summaries: || -Writing about their own experiences as an “outsider” Studying the signs of the zodiac in connection with each chapter. -Create an “outsider” scenario in the class or hallways and observe and record reactions of all parties. || -The “other” and otherness. -Relative morality -Existentialism -Meaning of life -Supremacy of Man -Is civilization civilized? -Defining community. -Nature of evil. -Destiny, predetermination and self-determination. ||
 * ==== Hamlet ==== || -“Amleth, Prince of Denmark”, a 9th century Danish tale that features many of the same characters, events and even similar names. This is Shakespeare’s source material.

- “Gertrude Talks Back” -By Margaret Atwood. Imagined dialogue form Gertrude after the “closet” scene with Hamlet.

- Engaging FAQ about Shakespeare’s life and work (quick read): || So many resources on Hamlet. A few favorites:

- Several BBC resources

- Schmoop, an excellent straightforward and comprehensive collection:

- Folger Shakespeare library collects a ton of stuff for teachers in the “Teaching Shakespeare” subpage: || - An article discussing Hamlet as being motivated by grief and how the play has helped readers deal with grief: “The Long Goodbye” by Meghan O’Rourke:

-This is an excellent time to not forget about your library and the 6-60 books your librarian has on Hamlet. || -“Green Eggs and Hamlet” by Dr. Seuss -“//Hamlet// (Facebook News Feed Edition)”- BySarah Schmelling. A hilarious retelling of the story in the form of “status updates”. Gives away plot elements. - The Simpsons phenomenal take on the play. There are spoilers. -An accurate online version with hypertext: - Rap version of Hamlet by Shel Silverstein (r-rated):

-Youtube video of Arnold S playing Hamlet ( 1 minute and hilarious)- -Hugh Lurie and “Mr. Bean” sketch about Hamlet (4 mins, funny, with some intellectual value): -Excellent animated version (~ 25 minutes). || -*every study guide publisher and online provider has Hamlet. I like Sparknotes, and Schmoop for basic summaries and thematic discussions. || -Create a trial for Hamlet after he has killed Polonius with judge, jury and lawyers. Use this NPR bit for inspiration (3 mins): - A re-imagined ending for the play or writing the next act. -“Translating” and performing a key scene with a modern interpretation. || -Madness -Suicide -Revenge -Sex -Meaning of life -Honesty and trust -Family -Honor || -Conrad || -Excellent pairing with T.S. Eliot’s poem “The Hollow Men”. -Also works well with “Invisible Man” in terms of looking at how environment and otherness shape identity. || -Great collection of resources and discussion tailored to Conrad and this work: -Good collection of resources from University of Michigan professor: || -A panel of three professors and the BBC radio host Lord Bragg discuss the novel in depth for 45 minutes:
 * ==== Heart of Darkness ====

-The famous Chinua Achebe essay: “An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness'” : || -Watching the film “Apocalypse Now” and the director’s cut has Brando reading Eliot’s poem to great affect. -An online version that is easy to use at the Online Literature Network: || - More sophisticated and focused study guide than those found on sparknotes, schmoop ,etc.. for HoD. This is a guide designed by a professor for a college course: -Interesting writing assignments correspond with the above guide: -Penguin reader guide is a thorough, straightforward pdf download: || -Google Earth map of the journey with selected quotes to mark certain estimated points. -It is a very visual novel and lends itself well to video or slide projects such as this youtube example: || -Good vs. Evil -Oppression and Power -Madness -Mortality -Otherness -Man vs. Nature - Identity || - ||  || -Look at //fin de siècle// art work- (Felicien Rops work online) || - Female mistreatment and empowerment -Gothic motifs -Postmodern fairytale || (online version) || VQR essay celebrating the essay 50 years later- || [] (online version) ||  || - Use this essay to critique political speeches, contemporary newscasts or articles, etc.. ||  ||
 * ==== Huckleberry Finn (in progress) ==== ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||
 * ==== The Bloody Chamber- Carter ==== || * Paired with Feminist lit, gothic, folk tales or fairy tales. Advanced vocab.
 * Based on the Legend of Bluebeard (1697 by Charles Perault) ||  || Essay comparing tale to “Bluebeard” and good discussion of each tale- || - A flash retelling of the story. Very interesting and artistic but teacher’s should watch and consider their audience before showing. The mood and artistic balance of this piece fit well with Carter:
 * ==== Politics and the English Language- Orwell- ==== || - || []
 * ==== Politics and the English Language- Orwell- ==== || - || []